I’ve been deep into console research lately, and the Xbox One X vs. Series S debate is one of the trickiest. The One X was the most powerful last-gen Xbox, built for true 4K gaming, while the Series S is a next-gen system that ditches the disc drive and focuses on speed over raw power. One feels like the end of an era, the other a fresh take on what a budget-friendly console can be. In this article, I’ll give you my verdict on Xbox One X vs. Series S and break down what makes each one unique so you can pick the right one.
Without further ado, let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Xbox OneX vs Series S: My Verdict
Let’s see which one fits you best.
Go for the Xbox One X if you: – Want to fully take advantage of your 4K TV with true 4K gaming. – Can’t let go of your physical game collection. – Want to play older Xbox games but see them look better than ever. – Don’t mind a bit of a higher price tag for a premium experience. – Love the idea of a 4K Blu-ray player built right into your console. – Want the feeling of holding onto a powerful piece of tech from the last generation. | Go for the Xbox Series S if you: – Want to jump into the next-gen world without draining your bank account. – Don’t mind going digital-only (no disc drive here!). – Want super-fast load times and smoother frame rates—you know, no more waiting around. – Can live with upscaled 4K instead of the full 4K experience. – Plan on diving into Xbox Game Pass for a massive library of games without any extra cost. – Want all the modern features like Quick Resume and faster overall gameplay. |
The Xbox One X came out back in 2017, priced at $499, and it was basically the king of its time. If you wanted 4K gaming without compromise, this was the console to go for.
But then, in 2020, the Xbox Series S came along at a much more wallet-friendly price of $299. It’s smaller, doesn’t have a disc drive, and brings the goods with next-gen features. It’s a whole different approach to what a console can be, especially if you’re after something modern but don’t want to break the bank.
Best Overall Choice: Xbox One X
Sure, the Xbox One X is a bit older now, but it still stands strong with impressive 4K gaming and excellent backward compatibility. It’s the console that handles everything—from graphically intense games to quick load times.
Best for the Wallet: Xbox Series S
We all like to save a buck. The Xbox Series S is the obvious choice if you’re not looking to spend too much. For the price, I should say it’s a decent console. Of course, it doesn’t have all the frills like a disc drive or native 4K like the Xbox One X, but if you’re happy to live in the digital world and prioritize speed over sheer muscle, it’s a smart pick.
Best for Pure Power: Xbox One X
Please take into consideration that in terms of performance, the Series S can’t quite keep up with the One X. The graphics, the power under the hood—it’s all tailored for gamers who want the best visuals and smoother gameplay. The One X was built to push boundaries, and it does just that. To this day, it’s one of the best consoles.
Best for 4K Lovers: Xbox One X
The Xbox One X wins yet another nomination. This time it’s for the “best 4k experience,” if you will. It handles pure 4K without breaking a sweat. The Series S can upscale to 4K, but let’s be honest—it’s not the same as true, raw 4K.
Best for All-Digital Life: Xbox Series S
The Series S is practically begging for a digital-first lifestyle. It’s made for those of us who don’t want to deal with discs and prefer getting everything straight from the cloud. But if you’re like me and love popping in a physical disc, this might be a deal breaker.
Best for Older Games: Xbox One X
The Xbox One X is great for those who enjoy playing older games. It offers full backward compatibility and can improve the performance of older titles, making them look better than they did on the original consoles. The Series S, however, doesn’t support physical discs and has limited support of old titles—while it can play older games, they won’t be enhanced in the same way as on the One X.
Best for Smaller Spaces: Xbox Series S
The Xbox Series S is built for people who don’t have room for bulky tech. It’s tiny and easy to squeeze into almost any corner. On the other hand, the One X is a bit more of a beast, so if you need something that won’t take up half the living room, the Series S is the obvious choice.
Xbox One X vs Xbox Series S: Detailed Comparison
Please note, this isn’t a product review. I’ve collected information from several trusted sources, verified its accuracy, and conducted further research to provide you with a clear overview. However, I haven’t personally tested these consoles.
| Feature | Xbox One X | Xbox Series S |
| Native 4K Gaming | ✅Yes | ❌No |
| Backward Compatibility | ✅ (enhances older games) | ❌ (limited, no enhancements) |
| Performance | ✅ (high-end power) | ❌ (lower power, not as strong) |
| Price | ❌ (higher cost) | ✅ (budget-friendly) |
| Design | ❌ (bulkier) | ✅ (compact and space-saving) |
| Disc Drive | ✅Yes | ❌ (digital-only) |
| Storage | (1TB HDD, slower load times) | 512GB SSD, fast load times |
| Next-Gen Features | ❌ (No Quick Resume, slower load times, no ray tracing) | ✅ (Quick Resume, faster load times, ray tracing support) |
Xbox One X vs Series X: Performance & Speed
Winner: Xbox Series S
When I compare the performance of the Xbox One X vs Series, the latter is faster overall due to its solid-state drive (SSD).
This means faster load times and snappier performance, especially for newer games like Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5.
The Xbox One X, while impressive for 4K gaming, lags behind in terms of speed. Its traditional hard drive results in longer load times for larger open-world games like Red Dead Redemption 2 or The Witcher 3, which can be a drag if you want to jump straight into action.
Xbox One X vs Series S: Handling Older Titles
Winner: Xbox One X
I love revisiting older titles, and I’m sure you’ve got a few games that take you back to the good old days too. In terms of better visuals and performance, the Xbox One X pulls ahead here. It’s an older console and handles older titles much better than Series S. Games like Gears of War 4 and Skyrim Special Edition will run more smoothly on the Xbox X than on the Series S. The latter will play these games at lower resolutions.
Xbox One X vs Series S: Price
One of the most important differences is the price. The Xbox Series S is significantly more affordable than the Xbox One X.
At around $299, it’s one of the most cost-effective next-gen consoles out there. That said, the Xbox One X ranges from $200 to $600 depending on the seller and the condition (new or pre-owned).
Link to Purchase: Xbox One X
Link to Purchase: Xbox Series S
2 Great Alternatives to Xbox Series S and Xbox One X
If you’re on the fence about Xbox, the PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro are solid alternatives.
The PS5 Pro, released in November 2024, brings a more powerful GPU, AI-driven upscaling, and improved ray tracing. Below, you’ll find more details about these consoles, along with some cool PS5 accessories to give your setup an extra touch of style.
PlayStation 5
The PlayStation 5 is the one I own, and I couldn’t be happier with it. Load times are practically nonexistent thanks to its ultra-high-speed SSD, and the DualSense controller makes every game feel more immersive with its haptic feedback and adaptive triggers.
The graphics are stunning, with ray tracing bringing out realistic lighting and reflections. Plus, Sony’s exclusive games, like God of War Ragnarök and Spider-Man 2, make it a must-have for many gamers.
Price & Purchase link: As of February 2025, the PlayStation 5 is available for $429.99 ($374 for the digital version). You can get it directly from Sony here: PlayStation Direct.
PlayStation 5 Pro
Released on November 7, 2024, the PlayStation 5 Pro is Sony’s most advanced console. It features an upgraded GPU, advanced ray tracing, and AI-driven enhancements for sharper visuals and smoother gameplay. The 2TB SSD offers generous storage, and Wi-Fi 7 ensures fast, reliable online connections.
Price & Purchase link: As of February 2025, the PlayStation 5 Pro is available for $699.99 (special edition priced at $999). You can buy it directly from Sony here: PlayStation Direct.
Pre-order exclusive PS5 accessories at Prelaunch Marketplace. Hurry and grab the PS5 Chroma Teal Controller and Chroma Teal Covers for half the price.
Conclusion
Here’s the bottom line—if you’re after lightning-fast load times and a budget-friendly price, I’d say the Xbox Series S is a solid option to consider. For me, for example, load times are more important than 4K gaming because I just hate waiting for the games to load. But if you’re unlike me and don’t mind the extra wait, it’s best to go with the Xbox One X. And if you’re serious about future-proofing your console setup, the Xbox One X still holds its ground with better overall performance and superior 4K visuals, even if it means spending a little extra.
